Gordon College is one of the nation’s premier Christian colleges and located just north of Boston. We offer students extraordinary access to leading-edge opportunities for intellectual, professional, and leadership development to address the increasingly complex challenges of a global society. Gordon stands apart from other outstanding institutions in New England by combining an exceptional education with an informed Christian faith.

Art

MISSION: The Gordon College Art Department is a visual arts program in a Christian liberal arts tradition. Our aim is to equip students to think visually; to engage with traditional Western, non-Western and contemporary art culture in the studio, gallery and lecture hall; and to provide students with the means to discern their vocational calling within the spectrum of art-related careers and ministries.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Studio courses teach methods, materials and concepts of art making with an eye to their historical and theoretical dimensions. Drawing is foundational to our curriculum, as is the study of the human figure, including the use of the undraped model. Beyond acquiring a working knowledge of foundations in studio practice and historical contexts, our students commit to a concentration in at least one of the following disciplines: drawing, painting, sculpture, design, printmaking or art education. Upper-level courses address traditional as well as experimental approaches to art making and are seen as a means of preparing for the senior thesis exhibition and/or other options (such as upper-level independent studies and internships in a variety of art professions).

Portfolio Requirement for Admission to the Major

In order for prospective students to apply for the art major at Gordon, they must first submit a portfolio and be approved by a faculty review board. The Department of Art accepts portfolio submissions twice a year; deadlines for submission are no later than December 1 for early action and March 1 for all others. Contact the Admissions Office, the Department of Art or the College website for detailed guidelines regarding portfolios.

Gordon in Orvieto Semester

Gordon’s off-campus program offers an opportunity to study the arts during a semester in Orvieto, Italy. Students take a 2-credit course in Italian language plus four 4-credit courses selected from offerings in visual arts, history, literature and creative writing. Students and faculty study and live in Orvieto, an ancient city located between Rome and Florence. Regular field studies are arranged to sites of artistic and cultural significance. Contact departmental faculty and the Global Education Office.